Furnace



Feb. 3, 1942.

P. P. DE WITT FURNACE Filed June 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Feb. 3, 1942 UNITED sTaTEs PATENT OFFICE FURNACE: Pius P. De wia, si. Louis County, Mo.

Application June 17, 1940, SerialLNoi 340,975

14 Claims.

This invention relates to furnaces and more particularly to devices adapted to be installed in coal burning furnaces to effect economy of fuel and elimination of smoke.

It has for its principal objects to provide a device for coal burning furnaces, stoves or the like which will insure Complete combustion of the coal, including the burning of volatiles, thereby eliminating or lessening materially smoke, and which will reduce fuel consumption by providing more heat per unit of fuel burned. Further objects are to provide a device which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and efcient in operation and which may be easily and quickly installed in any ordinary coal burning furnace, stove or the like.

The invention consists principally in providing the re pot of the furnace with a central partition which terminates short of the bottom` thereof and in providing a movable cover member adapted to selectively cover either side of the divided fire pot. It further consists in the furnace and in the parts and combinationsand arrangementsof parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings `wherein like CII reference numerals refer to like parts wherever 4 they occur,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a furnace embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the furnace .showingY the cover member covering one side of the re pct of the furnace,

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing the cover member over the opposite side of the fire pot,

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4*-4 in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a View taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 2',

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the partition for dividing the iire pot,

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a modication of my invention, v

Fig. 8 is a View taken on the line 8-8 in Fig. '7,

Fig. 9 is a View taken on the line 9-9 in Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a sectional View similar toFigs. 4 and 8 of another modification of my invention,

Fig. 11 is a View taken on the line II'-II in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of another modification of my invention showing a cover member which is hinged to the re pot partition.

The construction illustrated in the drawings is an ordinary furnace construction and includes thefurnace walls I, the usual fire door 2 which 55` ribbeing adapted to'rest inthe-saddle groove I Y lower portion of the furnace which provides access to -the ash pit to permit the removal of ashes. The inside of the furnace is provided with the usual re pot 4 `whose sides vtaper toward the grate 5.

Thefire pot is provided with a central partition 6 of re brick or other suitable material having-tapering ends which abut against the sloping walls of the fire pot to hold the partition inv-position. Said partition extends diametrically across theupper portion of the fire potand divides it intotwo combustion chambers l. The partition is of less height than the lire pot and does not; extendto the bottom thereof but terminates a short distance from the grate 5, formingv an openingV 8a which extends diametrically across the. fire pot and connects the lower portionsof said chambers 'I. Small openings 8 eX- tending through the partition also form passageways which communicate with the two chambers and together with the opening 8a permit the volatile matter from one chamber to pass into the other.v If desirable, these openings 8 may be eliminated. The top of the partition is provided with a saddle member 9 which ispreferably a separate member made of cast iron but may be made-of any other suitable material or, if desirable, maybe formed integral with said partition. There is a groove I0 in the saddle member extendingA longitudinally thereacross andthe ends ,offsaid saddle member have notches II therein.

The *middle portion of said groove is provided withv an upstanding pin lila which'projects above i the top of the saddle member.

Two semi-circular flanges I2, the ends of which lterminate adjacent to the saddle member, ex-

tend inwardly'from the upper portion of the re pot: and are preferably integral therewith. Upwardly extending marginal iianges I3 on these iianges l2.v form grooves III.. The notches II in the endslof the saddle member and the grooves Ill form a` continuous annular groove around the upper portion of the fire pot.

A semi-circular cover member I5 of'cast iron or other suitable material is provided which is one-half the size of the re pot and which is adapted to selectively cover either one of the chambers I formed by the partition. The diameter of saidY cover member is provided with va downwardly extending wedge-shaped rib I6, said I9. A recess 16a is provided in the middle of the rib IB and in the adjacent portion of the cover for retaining the pin Illa projecting from the saddle member. The rib I6 on the cover and the groove I in the saddle serve as a means of locating the cover in either of its two proper positions and also serve to seal the covered chamber against the escape of volatile matter from the coal. The pin Illa and the recess IBa serve as a means of pivoting the cover from side to side. A downwardly extending semi-circular flange I7 on the cover member is adapted to rest in the grooves I4 formed by the fire pot flanges I2 and their marginal flanges I3 and to prevent the escape of gas from the covered chamber and also serve as a guide for revolving the cover from one chamber to the other. The top of the cover has a series of upstanding radiating vribs I8.

Some of these ribs are provided with upstanding lugs I9 having openings 20 therethrough, said lugs serving as a means for revolving the cover from the top of one chamber to the other.

In the operation of the hereinbefore described device, one of the chambers 'I is filled with fuel as for example, bituminous coal. This filled chamber is covered with the cover member I5, the other -chamber being open. The downwardly extending diametrical rib I6 of the cover rests in the saddle groove to properly locate the cover over the chamber filled with coal. A re is started in the open combustion chamber and the heat from this fire drives the volatile matter from the bituminous coal in the covered chamber, thereby forming coke or semi-coke in said chamber. The volatile matter driven off in this chamber cannot escape upwardly into the air so it must pass under the partition or through the openings 8 in the partition into the uncovered combustion chamber where it passes through the hot coals and the lire where it is completely consumed. After the coal in the uncovered side has burned down, fresh coal is added to ll the chamber and the cover is revolved around the fire pot groove by a rod engaging one of the lugs thereon until it completely covers the newly charged chamber and the rib rests in the saddle member groove. The pin Illa extending from the saddle member 9 and the recess IGain the cover serve as a means of pivoting the cover from side to side. The bottom of the covered chamber will always have some combustion due to a small amount of air coming from the grate and passing through the coal toward the vent holes 8 in the partition. Consequently, the coked side which is uncovered by revolving the cover to the newly lled side will then be ignited by the small fire at the bottom thereof. This coked fuel will burn free from smoke and the coal of the other side will have the volatile matter driven off in the same manner as above described and thus form coke. When the cover is again revolved, the coke will be ignited by the fire burning in the bottom of its combustion chamber. It is noted that the volatile released from the coal in the covered side cannot pass through the cover member but must always pass into the burning side where itis consumed.

The modification shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 is similar to the construction described above. However, in this modification, a partition 2l having a curved bottom is shown. This curved bottom increases the size of the opening 22 between the bottom of the partition and the grate 23. This construction also shows a fire pot flange 24 separate from the fire pot 25, said rib being secured to the iire pot by bolts 26. This construction or any other suitable means of fastening the fire pot flange to the fire pot may be used with existing furnaces. It is noted that in this modification, the partition does not have the small openings 8 which extend through the partition and also this modification does not have the pin Ia in the saddle member and the recess I6a in the cover member, both of which may be eliminated in any of the constructions if desirable.

The construction illustrated in Figs. l0 and l1 is also similar to the hereinbefore described construction. However, the construction illustrated in these figures shows a furnace having a re Apot 2 of re brick. As shown, the partition 28 is set in recesses 29 in the re brick. An annular metal member 31a is mounted on top of the re bricks and the cover member 30 rests in a groove 30a in the annular metal member on top of the fire bricks and on the partition. p

The modification illustrated in Fig. 12 shows a square furnace having a cast iron cover 3| which is pivotally secured to a saddle member 32 seated on top of the central partition 33 in the middle of the re pot. A bolt 34 extends through the saddle member and partition to secure the saddle member to the partition, thereby retaining the saddle member in place. Ribs 35 extending inwardly from the lire pot provide rests for the cover member and lugs 36 on either side of the cover having openings 31 therethrough provide means whereby the cover may be swung from on side of the furnace to the other.

The advantages of my construction are numerous. My device is inexpensiveto construct and to install and may be used in almost all types of coal burning furnaces, stoves or the like with but few` alterations being necessary. My device is simple to operate and can be used to burn all sizes of coal. Not only does it eliminate smoke by burning the volatile matter in the coal but all of the volatile is also consumed Without the use of a forced draft, thus, ily ash is eliminated as it is not forced into the chimney by a forced draft.

Obviously, numerous mod'mcations may be made and I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction shown.

What I claim is:

1. A furnace comprising a fire pot in the lower portion thereof, a partition for said re pot, the upper portion of said partition terminating adjacent to the top of said re pot and the lower portion of said partition terminating at a level above the bottom of said fire pot and forming chambers connected by an opening beneath said partition and above the bottom of the re pot, and a movable cover for selectively covering either of said chambers and cutting off communication between fuel in the closed chamber and the space above said fire pot.

2. A furnace comprising a lire pot, a partition for said re pot forming two combustion chambers, said partition terminating adjacent to the top of said fire pot, a passageway adjacent to the bottom of said fire pot connecting said chambers, openings through said partition, a movable cover member adapted to selectively cover either of said chambers, and a ange extending inwardly from said iire pot to provide a rest for said cover.

3. A furnace comprising a re pot, a partition of fire brick for said re pot, said partition having small openings therethrough and extending from the top to a level above the bottom of said fire pot to form combustion chambers connected by van opening beneath said partition and above the bottom of -said fire pot, a movable cover for selectively covering either of said chambers, said cover having a downwardly extending flange, and a grooved flange extending inwardly from said nre pot for receiving said cover ange.

4. A furnace comprising a re pot, a partition for said fire pot, said partition having small openings therthrough and extending only part way to the bottom of said iire pot to form combustion chambers connected by an opening beneath said partition and above the bottom of said fire pot, a movable cover for selectively covering either of said chambers, a flange extending inwardly from said fire pot for supporting said cover and means on said cover whereby said cover may be moved from one chamber to the other.

5. A furnace comprising a re pot, a partition member in the central portion of the fire pot extending part way to the bottom thereof to form connected chambers, the ends of said partition abutting against said fire pot and said partition having small openings therethrough, the top of said partition having a longitudinal groove therein, grooved flanges extending inwardly from the upper portion of saidre pot, and a movable cover member for selectively covering either of said chambers having a downwardly extending rib adapted to be retained in said partition groove, and a downwardly extending cover flange adapted to be retained in said groove re pot flanges.

6( A furnace comprising a fire pot, a partition member in the central portion of the re pot extending part way to the bottom thereof to form two connected chambers, the ends of said partition abutting against said re pot and said partition having small openings extending therethrough a longitudinally grooved saddle member on the top of said partition, grooved flanges extending inwardly from the upper portion of said fire pot, and a movable cover member for selectively covering either of said chambers having a downwardly extending rib adapted to be retained in said saddle groove, and =a downwardly extending cover projection adapted to be retained in said grooved re pot flanges.

I'1. A furnace comprising an annular fire pot, a partition member in the central portion of the re pot extending part way to the bottom thereof to form two connected chambers, the ends of said partition abutting against said fire pot and said partition having small openings extending therethrough, a longitudinally grooved saddle member on the top of said partition, grooved flanges extending inwardly from the upper portion of said fire pot, and a movable semi-circular cover member for selectively covering either of said chambers having a downwardly extending rib adapted to be retained in said saddle groove, a downwardly extending cover flange adapted to be retained in said grooved fire pot flanges, and means on said cover whereby said cover may be moved from one chamber to the other.

8. A furnace comprising a fire pot, a partition member in the central portion of the re pot extending from the top to a level above the bottom of the fire pot to form two chambers connected by an opening beneath said partition and above the bottom of the re pot, the ends of said partition abutting against said fire pot, said partition having small openings extending therethrough, a longitudinally grooved saddle Amember on the top of said partition, an upstanding pin projecting from the middle portion of said groove, said member having notches at the ends thereof, grooved flanges extending inwardly from the upper portion of said nre pot, and a movable cover member for selectively covering either of said chambers having a downwardly extending diametrical rib adapted to be retained in said saddle groove, a recess in the middle of said rib extending through said cover member for receiving said pin, a downwardly extending cover flange adapted to be retained in said grooved lire pot flanges, and said cover member having upstanding lugs with openings therethrough whereby said cover may be moved from one chamber to the other.

9. A furnace comprising a re pot of iire brick, a grooved annular member mounted on top of said fire pot, a partition for said fire pot, said partition having small openings therethrough and terminating short of the bottom of said fire pot to form connected combustion chambers, a movable cover for selectively covering either of said chambers, said cover resting on said partition and on said annular member, and means on said cover whereby said cover may be moved from one chamber to the other.

10. A furnace comprising an annular flre pot, a partition for said fire pot forming two combustion chambers, said partition terminating adjacent to the top of said fire pot, a passageway adjacent to the bottom of said re pot connecting said chambers `and a cover member whose inner end is pivotally mounted on said partition, said cover member being adapted to cover either of said chambers.

11. A furnace comprising a re pot, a partition member in the central portion of the re pot extending part way to the bottom thereof to form two chambers connected by an opening beneath said partition and above the bottom of the lire pot, the ends of said partition abutting against said fire pot and said partition having small openings extending therethrough, a saddle member on the top of said partition, ribs extending inwardly from the upper portion of said re pot, a cover member for selectively covering either of said chambers, the inner end of said cover member being pivotally mounted on said saddle member, ribs extending inwardly from said fire pot wall to provide a rest for said cover and lugs on the top and bottom of said cover member thereof whereby said cover may be swung from one chamber to the other.

l2. A furnace attachment comprising a partition member adapted to be placed in the central portion of the re pot of a furnace and extend to a level adjacent to the top of said fire pot, the lower portion of said partition being adapted to extend only part way to the bottom of said re pot, said partition having openings therethrough, and a cover member adapted to selectively cover either half of the furnace re pot divided by said partition.

13. A furnace attachment comprising a partition member adapted to be placed in the central portion of the fire pot of a furnace and to terminate short of the bottom thereof, said partition having small openings therethrough, a grooved saddle member on top of said partition, and a cover member adapted to selectively cover either half of the furnace re pot divided by said partition, said cover having a downwardly extending rib adapted to rest in said saddle groove.

14. A furnace attachment comprising a partition member adapted to be placed in the central portion of the fire pot of a furnace and to terminate short of the bottom thereof, said partition having small openings therethrough, a grooved saddle member on top of said partition, grooved flanges adapted to be secured to the upper portion of the furnace re pot and a cover member adapted to selectively cover either half of the furnace re pot divided by said partition, said cover having a downwardly extending rib adapted to rest in said saddle groove and a o downwardly extending ange adapted to rest in the grooves of said re pot anges.

PIUS P. DE WITT. 

